Hormone replacement therapy incorporates female hormones that replace those that the body no longer produces following menopause. These are sometimes employed to treat common symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and vaginal discomfort.
Hormone therapy was also shown to avoid bone loss and to reduce postmenopausal fractures in women.
In addition to the benefits, the use of hormone replacement therapy also presents risks. These risks depend on some factors, including the dose, hormone therapy, and duration of the treatment.
Benefits of Hormone Therapy
- Hormone systemic therapy is the most effective treatment for the troubles of menopausal night sweats and hot flashes. It is produced in the form of a gel, patch, pill, spray, and cream. Estrogen also can reduce vaginal menopause symptoms, including burning, itching, dryness, and intercourse discomfort. The potential risk for colon cancer may be reduced by a combination of estrogen and progesterone therapy. Systemic estrogen helps protect against osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease.
- Low-dose vaginal estrogen preparations come in tablet, cream, or ring form. They can effectively treat certain urinary symptoms and vaginal symptoms while at the same time minimizing body absorption. Low-dose prepared vaginal products do not assist with night sweats, hot flashes, or osteoporosis protection.
Risks of Hormone Therapy
A combination of estrogen-progestin pills has increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and breast cancer in the most important clinical trial to date.
Other risks, such as the risk of cancer, heart, and cardiovascular disease, can also vary depending on whether the estrogen is given alone or with progestin, your family medical history, the dose and the type of estrogen, and other medical factors.
Who can try this?
Systemic estrogen remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms despite its health risks. If you are healthy, the benefits of hormonal therapy may outweigh the risks. You can consider this treatment if you:
-
Go through several symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes or others;
-
Lose bone mass and may not tolerate or benefit from other therapies;
-
Stop periods before 40 or lose your ovary’s normal function before 40 years of age.
Women who go through early menopause, have removed their ovaries, and do not undergo estrogen therapy until at least 45 years of age are at a higher risk of
-
Osteoporosis
-
Cardiovascular disease
-
Parkinson’s symptoms
-
Depression or anxiety.
Who is not suited for it?
Patients with breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, stroke, liver disease, leg or lung clots, or unexplained vaginal bleeding should not use hormone therapy.
Measures to reduce risks:
-
Find the best delivery method and product for you.
-
Stick to the smallest effective dose.
-
Get regular follow-up care from your doctor.
-
Make the right choices for a healthy lifestyle.
To get the recommendation of the best method, according to your needs and preferences, and the best treatment products, consult our hormone replacement therapy doctor in OKC. Come to us at Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
* * Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.
